.-°-..-°-. S h a r d s .-°-..-°-.
.Shard 13.
Golmore Jungle
.-°-..-°-.
Despite the fog and the dim light there were in that labyrinth of intertwining dark plants, the ghastly expression on Ashelia's face could not be mistaken. Basch had seen it already - it was the expression that came over her every time she saw Rasler's ghost. But this time, there were no signs of ghosts - he had checked everywhere, to prevent any of those panthers from jumping on someone. So why -
He followed the imaginary line traced by the princess' look, and immediately he understood. He never used to wonder if he really had the exceptional memory they all said - the flashback given by the irregular gathering of flowers running on the edge of their path was so sudden and striking that he did not even contemplate the idea of missing the connection - the flowers the princess was staring at were the same exact flowers which, years ago, had decorated Rasler's coffin. Beside, he could not see any other reason why who had become such a pragmatic woman would be staring at a useless, if beautiful, bunch of flowers.
When the princess bent down, her pale hand extended, the trace of a sad smile on her lips, he could see what was coming.
'She had suffered - so much already.'
When the knight, who was now half bent down as her, caught her hand just an instant before she could grasp a flower, Ashe turned to him, and her cheeks went pink for the surprise - she hadn't even realised she had been watched, and now she felt like a child caught with her hand on the cookie jar. Because there was no way Basch could be mistaking her action - he just had to know. He had been there too, that far day - and his heart had to be as shattered as hers.
"Your Highness - I-" he seemed the one almost embarrassed now, as if he felt he had dared too much "I humbly beg your forgiveness for my intermission but - but I don't think - I don't reckon this is necessary."
Ashe, instead of getting furious, just lowered her gaze on the flowers again hopelessly, to then drive it away with great difficult. Finally, she squeezed Basch's uncertain fingers for a moment, before placing his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"You're right, Basch." she replied in a whisper. "By the way, I think that flower might have poisoned me."
And she knew it was him, and him only, the one who could get the real meaning of her words.
.-°-..-°-.
Author'sNote: Ok still playing, so I'm still publishing these. There are so many chapters left! Ah-ha since I see that people are reading this madness (wow!), may I ask, mmh requests? See you soon, hopefully ;)
Swamp-Eyes